Safety device for elevators



Aug. 15, 1950 A. J. LUCAS SAFETY DEVICE FOR ELEVATORS Filed June 30, 1948 1N VEN TOR. flzzdvw ([Zzwasz BY a 2 Patented Aug. 15, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY DEVICE FOR ELEVATORS Andrew J. Lucas, Springfield, Mass.

Application June 30, 1948, Serial No. 36,181 1 Claim. (01. 24126) My invention relates to improvements in safety devices for elevators and is directed more particularly to improvementsin means for preventing the disconnection of the cable from elevator apparatus and this application is a continuation in part of an application filed by me on April 8, 1948, and serially numbered 20,875.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of apparatus adapted to prevent the disconnection of a cable from the elevator car or counterweights of an elevator on failure of the socket to perform its function by the cable Separating therefrom.

In elevator construction, it is ordinary practice to provide a socket which grips the cable at the car or the counterweights. The end of the cable and socket are so arranged that the weight of the car or counterweights depends on the connection of the socket and cable. Due to use, crystallization ofmetals and other causes, the cable often becomes loose or slips in its socket so that the cable is frequently released by the socket, whereupon the car falls. Frequent spections are made of the socket and its connection to the cable end or ends but disastrous results often occur in that the socket is likely to release the cable between inspections.

According to the novel features of my invention, means is provided which, should the socket fail, is adapted to operate to prevent separation ,in the claim hereunto annexed and more fully described and referred to in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the cable device embodying the novel features of the invention and shown in connection with a portion of the upper framework part of a car;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the clamp of the device shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, the invention will be fully described.

A body 2 is provided which includes comple- 2 mental members 4 which are secured together by any suitable means such as bolts 6. The members 4 are formed to have a longitudinal conical or tapering bore 8.

Clevis rods l0 have forked upper ends l2 which are connected to the body 2 by lowermost bolts 6. Lower threaded end portions of the rods extend through a member such as a plate l4 secured to channel members It or the like usually provided on the upper side of an elevator. car. Nuts I8 are provided on the lower ends of the rods I0. Holes 20 in plate 14 through which rods l0 extend are slightly larger than said rods.

Where the device is to be used in connection with the counterweights at the end of the cable, the rods in are secured in some suitable manner to the counterweight.

Springs 22 between plate 14 and upper ends of rods Ill yieldingly hold the body in the position shown.

C represents the elevator cable which is operated by drum mechanisms or the like to raise and lower the elevator. The cable extends through the body 2 and plate I 4 and another plate such as 24 which is usually a part of the car structure and has on its end a socket 26.

Ordinarily at the end of the cable, the strands of wire thread are secured in the socket but due to various causes the end of the cable does slip inthe socket and frequently becomes detached therefrom so that the ends of the cable are separated and the car drops. 7

According to the invention,the means o erates to prevent separation of the car and cable should the socket become disconnected.

A clamp device 30 includes half-members 32 which are similar in form and are secured together by any suitable means such as bolts 34 extending therethrough. The clamp members 32 have a longitudinal central bore which is complemental to and receives the cable. The said bore is provided with means such as serrations, grooves, or projections so as to fit and firmly grip the cable. The device is preferably of greater length than the pitch of the lay of the strands of the cable.

The parts are so arranged that the bolts 34 pull the parts of the clamp together in such a way that the clamp securely grips the cable with a space of a few thousandths of an inch between adjacent faces of the clamp members. The outer surface of the clamp members are conical in form and complemental to the bore 8 in the body.

In operation the body 2 is secured to either by rods [0 to the elevator car or to the counterweights and the cable C extends through the body with the clamp members 32 securely clamped thereto, as shown.

Should the socket 26 release the end of the cable so that the cable moves upwardly relative to the body 2, the clamp members are carried thereby so that the outer conical surface thereof is engaged by the conical bore of the body. The action is such that the pressure causes the clamp members to more securely clamp the cable if possible and at the same time prevents the end of the cable being drawn through the body. The device performs the function of the socket when for any reason it fails.

In the manner described, the novel construction is adapted to prevent separation of the cable and car or cable and counterweights when the socket becomes in operation.

It is desired to provide means so that the relative position of the clamp means and body may be readily visualized. That is it is. desired to determine whether the relation 'of the socket and cable has been disturbed. To that end a line 40 is provided on the clamp device which is registrable with a Set arrow on the body through a peek hole 42. In this position of the parts the clamp is out of contact with the bore of the body and. it is known that the socket is carrying the weight. Should the cable slip in the socket the clamp will move upwardly in the bore. When the cable and socket are separated or in case there is sufiicient slip of the cable in the socket the line 40 of the clamp will be visible in a peek hole 44 opposite Reset. It will then be known that the socket and cable should be readjusted.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the body having the conical bore is secured to the elevator car, while the clamp member disposed in the bore of the body is secured to the cable in its lower position. In this way, should the end of the cable slip appreciably relative to or be released by the socket so that the cable moves upwardly the clamp is wedged in the bore of the body so as to more securely clamp the cable and prevent movement of the cable.

' As stated the parts of the clamp are so constructed and arranged that adjacent faces of the clamp members 32 are spaced apart slightly; that is, a matter of thousandths of an inch when they are in clamping arrangement on the cable. This is so that when the clamp is wedged into the bore 8 the clamp members may be forced into more rigid clampingrelation on the cable.

It is not intended that the apparatus support or replace the socket normally so as to carry the weight of the car. It is intended that the apparatus function to support the weight on failure of the cable and socket connection. Also it is' possible to visually ascertain slippage between the socket and cable or separation thereof so that the cable and socket may be adjusted for the normal function of said socket.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Hence, the present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects merely as being illustrative being indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications and variations as fall within the meaning and purview and range of equivalency of the appended claim are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What it is desired to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

Auxiliary self-operating safety apparatus for holding an elevator and cable therefor against separating movement upon detachment of the connection therebetween comprising, a supporting member carried on the top of the elevator, a cylindrical body having an elongated conical bore therethrough surrounding but out of contact with the cable above the elevator, the diameter of the bore of said body being greater than the diameter of the cable, a plurality of rods pivotally connected to and depending downwardly from said body and carried by said supporting member for supporting said body upwardly thereof, a spring disposed on each of said rods for yieldingly supporting said body above the elevator, and a conical shaped clamp including separateelongated clamp members having adjacent inner faces enclosing the cable and having means extending through and securing the clamp members together with adjacent inner faces thereof in slightly-spaced relation, outer sidesof theclamp members of said clamp having upwardly converging faces complemental to the conical, bore of said body, said clamp being disposed entirely within and out of contact with the bore ,of said body permitting normally free movements of the cable REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date 713,738 Braden Nov. 18, 1902 1,002,947 Wallace Sept. 12, 1911 1,390,830 Snow Sept. 13, 1921 1,401,494 Rhorer et al Dec. 27, 1921 1,549,434 Bennett Aug. 11, 1925 1,807,752 Poster June 2, 1931 1,882,878 Plyler Oct. 18, 1932 

